Abstract
The nutritional composition of silages from the millet cultivars BRS 1501, ADR 500 and ADR 8010 was evaluated with the inclusion of soy hulls at 0, 3, 6 and 10%. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 x 4 factorial scheme with 3 replications. The dry matter content of the silages was affected by the inclusion of the soy hulls, ranging from 16.20% (ADR 8010) to 23.27% (BRS 1501) for the inclusion of 0 and 10% respectively. The levels of crude protein ranged from 9.46 to 10.79%, with significant differences between varieties being seen with the inclusion of 6% and 10% soy hulls. Inclusion of the hulls reduced the mineral matter content of the silages, with a change of 8.62% in the control treatment, up to an average of 6.38% at the level of 10%. The neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber content did not differ with treatment. The hemicellulose content differed with the level of soy hulls, and ranged from 22.65 to 26.18%. The cellulose content varied from 24.90% (ADR 500), with the inclusion of 6% soy hulls, to 29.80% (ADR 8010) with the inclusion of 10% hulls. The lignin content showed significant differences for the level of hull inclusion, ranging from 1.37% (ADR 8010) with the inclusion of 10% hulls, to 3.71% (BRS 1501), found in the control treatment. The soy hulls increased the dry matter content of silages from the cultivars under evaluation.
Highlights
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is used as forage, and has the potential for silage production in regions where Indian summers or drought are a problem, or when planted in succession or in the off-season after harvesting the main crop
It can be seen that the dry matter content (DM) determined in the silage of the millet cultivars differed (P
A dry matter content ranging from 25.80 to 28.48%, determined in millet silage harvested at 65 days of vegetative growth, was reported by Costa et al (2012), while Brunette, Baurhoo and Mustafa (2014) found a mean DM content of 25.7%, and Hassanat, Mustafa and Seguin (2006) reported a mean DM content of 22.45% for millet silage at 8 weeks of growth
Summary
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is used as forage, and has the potential for silage production in regions where Indian summers or drought are a problem, or when planted in succession or in the off-season after harvesting the main crop. This is due to its rusticity and adaptation to planting at the end of summer and the beginning of fall (PEREIRA et al, 1993). It is advisable to include absorbent additives that allow better silage fermentation
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